Get ready to move, because Arlo Parks is back with a bold new sound! Her latest album, ‘Ambiguous Desire,’ promises to be a game-changer, blending indie-folk roots with dancefloor energy. But here's where it gets intriguing: Parks cites influences like Burial, The Streets, and LCD Soundsystem, alongside the legendary Paradise Garage nightclub. Is this a radical departure for the singer-songwriter, or a natural evolution?
- READ MORE: Arlo Parks – ‘My Soft Machine’ review: A Subtle Step Forward (https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/arlo-parks-my-soft-machine-review-a-subtle-step-forward-3448016)
Due out April 3rd via Transgressive Records, ‘Ambiguous Desire’ marks Parks' third studio album. She describes the recording process as a whirlwind of dancing, new friendships, and late-night New York juke joint adventures. And this is the part most people miss: Parks sees desire as the album's driving force, a complex and multifaceted emotion that's both universal and deeply personal.
"Desire is a life force," she explains, "a wanting, a yearning, a momentum." It's what propels us forward, yet it's also "mysterious, tangled, random, enlightening and HUMAN."
The first single, ‘2SIDED,’ offers a glimpse into this world. With its lush synths, subtle drum breaks, and Parks' signature introspective lyrics, the song explores the tension and vulnerability of desire. Parks describes it as "about being struck by a bolt of desire and building up the courage to put language to that feeling, to make it real."
Listen to ‘2SIDED’ below and prepare to be captivated:
To celebrate the album's release, Parks will embark on a series of intimate UK gigs. Check out the dates below and grab your tickets while you can (https://arloparks.ffm.to/recordstoreshows):
Arlo Parks’ 2026 Tour Dates:
APRIL
- 2 – Rough Trade x fabric, London
- 4 – Crash x Wardrobe, Leeds
- 6 – Rough Trade Nottingham x Rescue Rooms, Nottingham
- 8 – Banquet x Circuit, London
- 9 – Resident x CHALK, Brighton
- 11 – Truck x O2 Academy, Oxford
- 12 – Vinilo x The 1865, Southampton
These shows follow her successful ‘Sonic Exploration’ concerts in London, New York, and Los Angeles last year, where she teased the album with snippets of a song called ‘New Desire.’ "I wanted to put my heart on the line and write it how it FELT," she revealed at the time.
‘Ambiguous Desire’ follows Parks' sophomore album, ‘My Soft Machine,’ which received a three-star review from NME (https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/arlo-parks-my-soft-machine-review-a-subtle-step-forward-3448016). We praised her ability to create music that rewards close listening, inviting fans to delve into the intricacies of her lyrics.
Will ‘Ambiguous Desire’ mark a new chapter for Arlo Parks? Will her foray into dance-inspired sounds resonate with fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
